Comparison

Pool Log vs Pool Chemical LogBook

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Pool Log

This app provides precise chemical dosing instructions for pools and spas based on your test results. It tracks multiple water bodies, integrates local weather data, and offers advanced features like SLAM mode for algae and CSI calculations. All data is stored locally for privacy.

Highlights
  • Precise chemical dosing instructions
  • Manages multiple pools and spas
  • Weather-aware test result tracking
  • SLAM mode for algae treatment
  • Calcite Saturation Index (CSI) calculation
  • Chemical addition logging
  • Maintenance task tracking
Features
Read full description

SKIP THE POOL STORE Stop driving to the pool store for tests that are inconsistent, expensive, and end with someone trying to upsell you chemicals you don't need. PoolLog turns your own test results into precise dosing instructions in seconds — using the same Taylor Technologies and Pool & Hot Tub Alliance formulas the pros rely on. POOLS AND SPAS, ONE APP Manage every body of water from one place. PoolLog handles backyard pools, spas, hot tubs, and rentals — each with its own sanitizer system, surface type, target ranges, and history. Switch between them with a tap. WEATHER-AWARE TRACKING Test results pair with the local weather automatically (no location permission required, just a postal code). Spot the patterns that matter: heatwave chlorine drops, post-rain alkalinity swings, the bather load that always nudges your pH. YOUR DATA. YOUR DEVICE. No account required. Nothing leaves your phone unless you turn on optional iCloud sync — and even then it's only ever between your own Apple devices. Other apps want a login and a cloud account before they'll show you a number. We don't. PREVIEW THE EXACT DOSE Before you add anything, PoolLog shows the precise amount of each chemical you'd need to reach your target — accounting for your pool's volume, current chemistry, and the specific concentration of the product on your shelf. Add the chemical, log the addition, done. GROUNDED IN REAL CHEMISTRY Recommendations come from peer-reviewed industry standards — Taylor Technologies, the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance, and the same CSI formula commercial operators use to keep plaster pools from etching or scaling. We document every formula in the app's references. SLAM MODE FOR ALGAE When the green hits, switch on SLAM (Shock, Level, And Maintain) and PoolLog raises the chlorine target to the appropriate level for your CYA, walks you through the procedure, and resets when you're back to normal. Built for the TFP-style algae recovery the rest of the industry won't talk about. CSI CALCULATION INCLUDED The Calcite Saturation Index tells you whether your water is going to scale (build up calcium deposits) or etch (eat your plaster). PoolLog calculates it from your pH, temperature, calcium hardness, alkalinity, and TDS — and shows it on the dashboard, not buried in a settings screen. EVERYTHING THAT'S IN HERE • Free chlorine, combined chlorine, total chlorine • Bromine sanitizer support (chlorine alternative for spas) • pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, cyanuric acid • Salt level with custom ranges per cell manufacturer (Hayward, Pentair, Jandy) • Borates, TDS, water temperature • CSI dashboard tile and history • Chemical addition logging with concentration-aware dosing • Maintenance task tracking — brushing, backwashing, filter cleans, opening/closing • Expense tracking with categories • Beautiful charts for every level • Test reminders that pause when the pool is closed for the season • Imperial / UK imperial / metric units • English, Spanish, and French PREMIUM FEATURES Upgrade to Premium with a monthly or yearly subscription: • Multiple pools (free version supports one) • Data export to CSV for spreadsheets and analysis • iCloud sync across your Apple devices • Test strip scanner (coming soon) • Priority support WHO THIS IS FOR Pool and spa owners who'd rather spend their weekend swimming than queueing at the pool store. New owners who want a smart guide. Experienced owners who already know their CYA from their CSI and want a logger that respects that. Privacy Policy: https://blite.github.io/PoolLog/privacy/ Terms of Service: https://blite.github.io/PoolLog/terms/

About

Pool Chemical LogBook

Features
Read full description

Keep pool and spa records organized, calculate chemical doses, and prepare PDF logbooks with Pool Chemical LogBook. FREE CALCULATOR Use Chemical Calculator and dosage/correction guidance in Guest mode without creating an account. Enter your volume and measurements, choose US or metric display units, and review water-balance calculations. CHLORINE AND SALT SYSTEMS Choose Chlorine or Salt for each pool or spa. For a salt system, record measured salt in ppm and configure the target and range for your equipment. Review unit-aware salt-addition guidance alongside the existing chemical recommendations. Salt values follow applicable readings into shared history, monthly PDFs and graphs; chlorine readings show salt as not applicable. Older readings without a salt measurement remain unrecorded. TDS and optional ORP readings are also available. ON-DEVICE LOGBOOK — NO REGISTRATION An App Store plan unlocks one on-device facility with up to three pools/spas, saved readings, PDF reports and graphs without an app account. Restore purchases on your supported Apple devices. Records remain on each device; Restore does not recover deleted files. Keep device backups and export important reports. Signing in does not automatically move local records or purchase ownership. PRIVATE CLOUD LOGBOOK Sign in for your account-specific facility logbook, saved reading history, reports and team permissions. Record pH, free and combined chlorine, alkalinity, hardness, cyanuric acid, temperature, flow, filter pressure, initials and notes. FACILITIES AND POOLS/SPAS Start with one protected main facility and one to three pool/spa body slots. Eligible owners can manage additional facilities from Account Info, with each facility's details and bodies grouped together. Archiving an extra facility retains its history and releases its facility credit; restoring it needs available capacity. The main facility remains protected from removal. OWNER-MANAGED TEAM ACCESS In multi-facility accounts, allocated active facilities and distinct active members share the owner's credits. The main facility includes the owner. Pool/spa bodies and facility assignments use no additional credits; inactive invitations use none. Four credits can cover two facilities and two active members, or three facilities and one active member. Owners assign Selected facilities or All current and future active facilities. Members add readings only within their active, assigned and funded access. Edit saved is a separate permission for changing or removing saved readings. Facility and billing management remain owner controls. ORIGINAL WORK AND HISTORY Eligible reading work can be saved offline with its original account, facility, pool/spa and values retained for synchronization. Facility admission, restoration and active allocation changes require a connection. Existing single-facility records and eligible original subscription benefits remain; additional-facility eligibility can require review. REPORTS AND TRENDS Choose the facility and pool/spa for monthly PDF logbooks and chemistry graphs. Select your month or date range and metrics, then export or share the report with its selected labels and scope. SUBSCRIPTIONS Auto-renewing App Store plans unlock the on-device Guest logbook without registration. Optional cloud/team services use account-specific permissions and purchase ownership. Review the selected product's displayed price and terms before purchase. Original packages retain their benefits and pricing; eligible store and manual-invoice coverage remain independent. Manage or cancel through the platform's subscription settings. Account deletion and store subscription cancellation are separate. Follow chemical product labels, allow circulation and retest after treatment. Privacy Policy: https://www.poolbyengineer.net/privacy-policy-of-pool-chem-log Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Pool Log4 screens
Pool Chemical LogBook4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Pool Chemical LogBook at every 8 days against Pool Log's every 4 weeks. Pool Chemical LogBook also leads on iOS requirement (18.6 vs 26.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Pool Log sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and Pool Chemical LogBook sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $11.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pool Log ships an update every 4 weeks, Pool Chemical LogBook every 8 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
Pool Log versus Pool Chemical LogBook: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPool LogPool Chemical LogBook
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (8 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings8 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeksEvery 8 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS26.018.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB27 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperMichael HollowayPOOL BY ENGINEER INC

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Pool Log

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Plan7 Days trial$0.991 Month
  • Annual Plan7 Days trial$7.991 Year
10 purchases

Pool Chemical LogBook

Subscriptions10
  • Pro Monthly$11.991 Month
  • 2 Seat Monthly Plan$23.991 Month
  • 3 Seat Monthly Plan$35.991 Month
Show 7 more
  • 4 Seat Monthly Plan$47.991 Month
  • 5 Seat Monthly Plan$59.991 Month
  • 6 Seat Monthly Plan$69.991 Month
  • 7 Seat Monthly Plan$84.991 Month
  • 8 Seat Monthly Plan$94.991 Month
  • 9 Seat Monthly Plan$109.991 Month
  • 10 Seat Monthly Plan$119.991 Month

Questions

Is Pool Log free?
Pool Log is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Pool Chemical LogBook free?
Pool Chemical LogBook is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Pool Log or Pool Chemical LogBook have ads?
Neither Pool Log nor Pool Chemical LogBook shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Pool Log or Pool Chemical LogBook?
Pool Log ships an update every 4 weeks, and Pool Chemical LogBook every 8 days. Most recently, Pool Log was updated on October 24, 2026 and Pool Chemical LogBook on October 24, 2026.

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